Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ricecrispi
Lothar,
Taxes do help but they can be bad. You insisted taxes are bad when they serve a purpose. If they didn't taxes us we have no army, no schools, no freeways etc etc... Again it's how efficient the government spends and what they spend it on. If they go blowing the money on things we don't need then yeah, it's inefficient. Might be the case for France but might not be for other countries.
It's just bothersome that your arguement is purely being hey, they ain't capitalist that must be the source of the problems type of thinking, very republician like. US wouldn't have survived the depression without socialist policies. There is a time for socialism and a time for capitalism. Government should be a correct balance of both. It seems to me the US is focusing too much on the capitalism part right now.
|
I've never stated taxes were bad, however heavy taxation certainly is bad. The primary job of government is to provide for things that individuals are incapable of providing themselves. For instance the military, infrastructure and yes social safety nets which help ensure social stability during economic transition. However if taxes become a mechanism for mass wealth redistribution it will have a negative affect on the economy.
I think it is interesting that you mention the New Deal because I am a tremendous fan of Roosevelt. However, you know that the policies of the New Deal are almost the exact same policies that Ronald Regan in the 80’s (interestingly enough also the policies of Julius and Augustus Caesar). Classic supply side economics...including the trickle down effect. Roosevelt was "pumping and priming the economy and trying to save American Capitalism not make the country socialist. I suppose if you listen to Ann Coulter or one of those NeoCon idiots you start to think Roosevelt was a socialist. When nothing could be further from the truth. Especially when you look at his heavy handedness toward unions at various times.
My point about France is that their economic policies have created a good quality of life for those who work however it is at the expense of a lot of unemployed people. My life experience and knowledge of history have shown me that once you pull back the veneer of race, religion, culture or nationality every human conflict will boil down to a conflict between the "Haves" and "Have nots"